13 - Sizing and fit for pressure garments

Abstract

Compressive and shaping garments have become more and more popular due to their positive influence on the quality of life and various facets of human activities. Their special features can be obtained only after complex considerations of many aspects, related to the soft tissue of the human body and its ability to deform; the feeling of comfort under pressure application; the production of textile materials; and design and patternmaking. To design comfortable and functional pressure garments, the designer should collect as much information as possible about all aspects mentioned. This chapter includes important information about the progress made in pressure garment design. The contemporary classification of pressure garments is based on their possible application (ready-to-wear, daily, medical, sports, cosmetic, etc.), materials; areas of possible and comfortable pressure application; the areas of the human body covered by garments; and so on. The special properties of textile materials used for pressure garment production include the structure, the ability to elongate under small loads, and the possibility of creating the desired pressure under elongation. Because the comfort perception and body measurement changes are the main indexes of fit, the methods and devices of pressure evaluation in the system “body-garments,” such as instrumental and sensitive, are described. Also, 2D and 3D methods of pressure garment design are given, including new software and programs. To design these garments, the special method of negative ease calculation is considered and some advanced pattern blocks of pressure garments are included in this chapter. The development of pressure garments is shown by the future trends in materials, CAD, and methods of fit evaluation.